AOpen entertainment PC – ePC

ePC is the name of the new series of computer systems that AOpen recently presented and this time the target is a bit different from the regular work PC. ePC is designed to match your other multimedia equiment and if you look at the design it’s not very surprising. All chassis in the  ePC-series is designed to fit into a stereorack and resembles a home cinema receiver more than a computer. AOpen has presented two different models in its ePC serie, AOpen Media Center Server 400/410 and AOpen XC REC6.

AOpen Media Center Server 400/410 is foundation of the new ePC-series and the design is strikingly similar to an ordinary receiver. The chassi supports up to 7 harddrives and is intended to be used with several TV-tuners so you can record one, or more, channels while watching another. To handle use the unit you have a VDF-panel that shows the systems status.

AOpen Media Center Server 400 specifications:
* Built with large size VFD which shows system playback status clearly.
* Designed with dual-channel TV tuner – the user can watch the program of a TV channel while recording the TV program of another TV broadcast station.
* Supports Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition.
* Supports 7.1-channel surround sound.
* Supports Intel Pentium 4 2.8GHz 820 processor which is designed with dual core and Hyper-Threading technology.
* Supports dual channel DDR II 533/667 MHz and expandable to 4 GB.
* Provides PCI-Express x16 and PCI expansion slots.
* Provides one ATA and six Serial ATA connectors.
* Built-in 250 GB hard drive.
* Built-in DVD Combo drive.
* Built-in 10/100/1000 Mb LAN interface.
* Full function remote control.
* Provides S-Video, YPbPr, and D4 video output connectors.

The other system, AOpen XC REC6, is a AV-system intended for a smaller room e.g. the bedroom, while the Media Server 400 is intended to be the center of your livingroom. REC6 has a more slim design but still offers quite nice features, among others several video outputs and a VFD-display.

AOpen XC REC6 specifications:
* The size of the product is only 8.9 liters – nearly the same as home electronic products.
* Provides one 5.25” and one 3.5” drive bay.
* Built with a stylish VFD panel to show operation status.
* Supports Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition.
* Supports multiple-channel audio outputs.
* 275W power supply.
* Dimensions: 69mm(H) x 300mm(L) x 430mm(W); 2.72” x 11.81” x 16.93”
* Supports Intel Pentium M Dothan processors.
* Supports Intel i915G and ICH6 chipsets.
* Supports dual channel DDR II 400/533 MHz.
* Provides PCI-Express x16 and PCI expansion slots.
* Provides ATAand Serial ATAconnectors.
* Provides S-Video, YPbPr, D4 video output connectors.
* Provides USB, IEEE1394, and HD Audio 7.1-channel sound.
* Built-in 10/100/1000 Mb LAN connector.

Source: AOpen